Ignatius of Antioch: Views on the church

Ignatius of Antioch was an early Church Father who was martyred in Rome. On the way, he was allowed to greet and meet fellow Christians and wrote a number of letters to churches.

Ephesians
Magnesians
Trallians
Romans
Philadelphians
Smyrnaeans
Polycarp (bishop of Smyrna)

The ancient Greek name "Ἰγνάτιος Ἀντιοχείας" ≈ "Ignatios of Antioch". A holiday (Catholic Church, Anglican Church, and some others) in his honor is usually on October 17 of each year.

More: Early Church Father: Ignatius of Antioch

Ignatius of Antioch, in his letters written on his way to Rome to be martyred, had some interesting views on the church. Ask yourself the following.

If the advice of Ignatius is followed, what might be the nature of the resulting church?

The following are from the letter of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans. Smyrna is the second of the seven churches in the beginning of Revelation. Remarks from Ignatius in other letters (to be added later) are similar in many respects.

The corresponding English is from Holmes (2007).

English: Flee from divisions as the beginning of evils.

Greek: Τοὺς δὲ μερισμοὺς φεύγετε ὡς ἀρχὴν κακῶν.

The Greek for "division" is not that of "heresy" but of "compartmentalization".

Is "division" in a group of believers the beginning of "evils"?
Are we always "better together"?
Is anyone who is "not with us" the "enemy"?

The Greek for "evils" is that of being "bad".

In Matthew 18, Jesus provides a fault-tolerant way to resolve conflict among believers.

Establish all facts, from one on one, escalating, if necessary, to two on one, etc.
If not resolved, report all facts to the church.
Let everyone make their own decision.
At worst, the follow believer is now treated as a neighbor.

More: Matthew 18:15-17 Conflicting and faulty resolutions

English: You must all follow the bishop as Jesus Christ followed the Father, and follow the council of presbyters as you would the apostles;

Greek: Πάντες τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ ἀκολουθεῖτε, ὡς Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς τῷ Πατρί, καὶ τῷ πρεσβυτερἰῳ ὡς τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις.

How did Jesus Christ "follow" the Father?
Was Jesus Christ also the Father?
Did Jesus intend believers to "follow" the "apostles"? How about the "elders"?

The "bishop" was the local leader of the church. Later, bishops had more than one church to "oversee" as a "sheep dog". The danger is that the "sheep dog" might become a "wolf dog".

A "wolf dog" can be equated with a "bird" in which case a true prophet might be considered a "bird dog" (not appreciated by the "birds").

More: A bishop to visit and oversee the flock

More: Matthew 5:13-16 Animal crackers

English: respect the deacons as the commandment of God.

Greek: Τοὺς δὲ διακόνους ἐντρέπεσθε ὡς Θεοῦ ἐντολήν.

The ancient Greek word "ἐντρέπω" ≈ "turn, have regard for, pay heed to, show respect".

Since everyone should respect everyone else, to some extent, one should respect the "deacons".
Does "respect" for the "deacons" take precedence over respecting the "commandments" of God?

Luke 18:2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: [kjv]

λεγων κριτης τις ην εν τινι πολει τον θεον μη φοβουμενος και ανθρωπον μη εντρεπομενος [gnt]

18:4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; [kjv]

και ουκ ηθελεν επι χρονον μετα ταυτα δε ειπεν εν εαυτω ει και τον θεον ου φοβουμαι ουδε ανθρωπον εντρεπομαι [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "ἐντρέπω" ≈ "turn, have regard for, pay heed to, show respect".

In this parable from Luke, the "judge" appears to represent Christ as God who does not "respect" man's rules or opinions when they are in conflict with God's rules or opinions. Does God fear God?

More: Luke 18:1-8 Parable of the unjust judge

More: Whether this or that: what is your opinion on glory?

*G1788 *9 ἐντρέπω (en-trep'-o) : from G1722 and the base of G5157; to invert, i.e. (figuratively and reflexively) in a good sense, to respect; or in a bad one, to confound:--regard, (give) reference, shame.

Usage

All

εντραπησονται *3

Matthew 21:37 ... his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
Mark 12:6 ... unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
Luke 20:13 ... beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

εντραπη *2

2 Thessalonians 3:14 ... company with him, that he may be ashamed.
Titus 2:8 ... he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing ...

εντρεπομενος

Luke 18:2 ... not God, neither regarded man:

εντρεπομαι

Luke 18:4 ... not God, nor regard man;

εντρεπων

1 Corinthians 4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as ...

ενετρεπομεθα

Hebrews 12:9 ... which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not ...

*G1788 *9 ἐντρέπω (en-trep'-o) : from G1722 and the base of G5157; to invert, i.e. (figuratively and reflexively) in a good sense, to respect; or in a bad one, to confound:--regard, (give) reference, shame.

Words: ενετρεπομεθα εντραπη=2 εντραπησονται=3 εντρεπομαι εντρεπομενος εντρεπων

Luke 18:2

All

KJV: Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

Greek: λεγων κριτης τις ην εν τινι πολει τον θεον μη φοβουμενος και ανθρωπον μη εντρεπομενος

Luke 18:4

All

KJV: And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

Greek: και ουκ ηθελησεν ηθελεν επι χρονον μετα δε ταυτα δε ειπεν εν εαυτω ει και τον θεον ου φοβουμαι και ουδε ανθρωπον ουκ εντρεπομαι

1 Corinthians 4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. [kjv]

ουκ εντρεπων υμας γραφω ταυτα αλλ ως τεκνα μου αγαπητα νουθετων [gnt]

… confundam … [v]

The ancient Greek word "ἐντρέπω" ≈ "turn, have regard for, pay heed to, show respect". The translators, and Strongs, appear to be confusing the above word with the ancient Greek word "εντροπή" ≈ "turning away, shy, disgrace"where the progression was from, originally, turning away, shy, shame, and, by New Testament times, mostly shame or disgrace.

Paul appears to be making a play on words with the word that the translators used for this passage.

"turn you off"
"pay heed to"

More: Do not be shy and embarrassed to turn away from entropy

1 Corinthians 4:14

All

KJV: I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

Greek: ουκ εντρεπων υμας γραφω ταυτα αλλ ως τεκνα μου αγαπητα νουθετω νουθετων

Latin: non ut confundam vos haec scribo sed ut filios meos carissimos moneo

English: Let no one do anything that has to do with the church without the bishop.

Greek: Μηδεὶς χωρὶς τοῦ ἐπισκόπου τι πρασσέτω τῶν ἀνηκόντων εἰς τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν.


Sheep dog	Wolf dog

Does one need "approval" of the "bishop" to do "anything" related to the "church"?

More: A bishop to visit and oversee the flock

More: 1 Timothy 3:1 Desire to reach out to be a bishop

More: Weak and visited by a bishop

Philippians 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, [kjv]

ευχαριστω τω θεω μου επι παση τη μνεια υμων [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "εὐχαριστῶ" ≈ "thank you" and is a shortened form of the ancient Greek word "εὐχαριστέ" ≈ "thank you" and consists of two parts.

The ancient Greek word and prefix "εὐ" ≈ "good".
The ancient Greek word "χάρῐς" ≈ "favor, grace".

The modern Greek word "ευχαριστώ" (ev-kha-ree-STO) ≈ "thank you". This word, going through Latin, became the English word "Eucharist".

More: Thank you for giving thanks and for Thanksgiving

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. [kjv]

και λαβων αρτον ευχαριστησας εκλασεν και εδωκεν αυτοις λεγων τουτο εστιν το σωμα μου το υπερ υμων διδομενον τουτο ποιειτε εις την εμην αναμνησιν [gnt]

1 Corinthians 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. [kjv]

και ευχαριστησας εκλασεν και ειπεν τουτο μου εστιν το σωμα το υπερ υμων τουτο ποιειτε εις την εμην αναμνησιν [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "εὐχαριστῶ" ≈ "thank you". Unless it is clear from context,, the Greek for "is" (used here) requires the Greek for "equal" (not used here) to establish that the comparison is of exact equality.

More: Thank you for giving thanks and for Thanksgiving

English: Only the Eucharist which is under the authority of the bishop (or whomever he himself designates) is to be considered valid.

Greek: Ἐκείνη βεβαία Εὐχαριστία ἡγείσθω, ἡ ὑπὸ ἐπίσκοπον οὖσα, ἢ ᾧ ἂν αὐτὸς ἐπιτρέψῃ.

Jesus says to break the bread and drink the wine in his "remembrance".

Did Jesus ever intend the Eucharist to be a "gatekeeper" that could be used as a "yoke of compulsion" in order to "influence" others?

If you are in front of the "altar" (sanctuary) and you "remember" that the brother (Jesus) has something against you, go and "interact" with the brother (Jesus) and then go (not back to the alter) and offer your gift (yourself).

More: Matthew 5:23-24 Alterated gifts

Luke 22:19

All

KJV: And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Greek: και λαβων αρτον ευχαριστησας εκλασεν και εδωκεν αυτοις λεγων τουτο εστιν το σωμα μου το το υπερ υμων διδομενον τουτο ποιειτε εις την εμην αναμνησιν

1 Corinthians 11:24

All

KJV: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Greek: και ευχαριστησας εκλασεν και ειπεν λαβετε φαγετε τουτο μου εστιν το σωμα το υπερ υμων κλωμενον τουτο ποιειτε εις την εμην αναμνησιν

English: Wherever the bishop appears, there let the congregation be, ...

Greek: Ὅπου ἂν φανῇ ὁ ἐπίσκοπος, ἐκεῖ τὸ πλῆθος ἤτω, ...


Sheep dog	Wolf dog

The Greek for "congregation" is that of "crowd" or "many".

A major theme of Philippians (obscured in modern translations) is that of the "bishops" not doing what they were supposed to be doing.

More: Philippians

English: just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic church.

Greek: ὥσπερ ὅπου ἂν ῇ Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, ἐκεῖ ἡ Καθολικὴ Ἐκκλησία.

This is the first instance of the terms used that became the "Catholic Church". The Greek words mean, literally, "all and everything church".

Ignatius continues.

English: It is not permissible either to baptize or to hold a love feast without the bishop. But whatever he approves is also pleasing to God, in order that everything you do may be trustworthy and valid.

Greek: Οὐκ ἐξόν ἐστιν χωρὶς τοῦ ἐπισκόπου οὔτε βαπτίζειν οὔτε ἀγάπην ποιεῖν· ἀλλ’ ὃ ἂν ἐκεῖνος δοκιμάσῃ, τοῦτο καὶ τῷ Θεῷ εὐάρεστον, ἵνα ἀσφαλὲς ᾖ καὶ βέβαιον πᾶν ὃ πράσσετε.

What if the "bishop" approves something that is against the laws of God?
Is the "bishop" infallible?
Can the "bishop" decide to go against the laws of God?

Did Ignatius believe all that he said?
How could what Ignatius say be used in other ways at some later time?
Did Ignatius have any ulterior motives?
Was Ignatius concerned about his "legacy"?
Did Jesus provide any warning of weeds and the resulting deceptions such as those described by Ignatius?

Matthew 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. [kjv]

εν δε τω καθευδειν τους ανθρωπους ηλθεν αυτου ο εχθρος και επεσπειρεν ζιζανια ανα μεσον του σιτου και απηλθεν [gnt]

13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. [kjv]

αλλην παραβολην ελαλησεν αυτοις ομοια εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων ζυμη ην λαβουσα γυνη ενεκρυψεν εις αλευρου σατα τρια εως ου εζυμωθη ολον [gnt]

"καθολικός," ≈ "universal" is from "καθόλου" ≈ "at all" is from:

"καθ" ≈ "according to" and
"ὅλος" ≈ "whole, all".
Verse 25 start: "καθεύδω" ≈ "lie down to sleep, be still, be idle"
Verse 33 end: "ολον" ≈ "whole" as in "the whole lump" (verse 33)

Verse 25 has the beginning of "catholic" near the beginning and verse 33 has the ending of "catholic" at the end. Is this just random chance or might this have been on purpose?

Question: Is there any bread left?
Answer: No, it's all. (Pennsylvania rural saying)
Question: All what?

More: Matthew 13: Fourth kingdom parable: measures three

Ignatius makes similar comments in his letter to the Trallians.

The corresponding English is from Holmes2007.

English: I know that you have a disposition that is blameless and unwavering in patient endurance, not from habit but by nature, ...Holmes, M. (2007). The Apostolic Fathers. 3rd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, p. 215.

Greek : 1.1 Ἄμωμον διάνοιαν καὶ αδιάκριτον ἐν ὑπομονῇ ἔγνων ὑμᾶς ἔχοντας, οὐ κατὰ χρῆσιν ἀλλὰ κατὰ φύσιν, …

Are we by "nature" "blameless" without having to "learn" or be "nurtured" in it? Jeremiah says something different.

More: Jeremiah 13: Nature and nurture and leopard spots

Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. [kjv]

ει αλλαξεται αιθιοψ το δερμα αυτου και παρδαλις τα ποικιλματα αυτης και υμεις δυνησεσθε ευ ποιησαι μεμαθηκοτες τα κακα [lxx]

If the Ethiopian shall change his skin, or the leopardess her spots, then shall you° be able to do good, having learnt evil. [bs3]

Is it nature (e.g., genetics) or nurture (e.g., environment)? Is it a combination of these?
Jeremiah uses that analogy to tell the people that they have learned to do some of the bad things that they do and they need not be bad in that way.

More: Jeremiah 13: Nature and nurture and leopard spots

The ancient Greek word "μῖμος" ≈ "imitator, actor" and is the source of "mime", "imitate", etc.
Sayings: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If it looks like a duck ...

Are you an "imitator" or "follower" of Christ? Or both? We are to "imitate" Christ but not "impersonate" Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. [kjv]

μιμηται μου γινεσθε καθως καγω χριστου [gnt]

imitatores … [v]

Discuss: What are the ambiguities in the following statement?

You need to become more like Christ every day.

More: Imitator or impersonator of Christ

English: ... I praised God when I found out that you were, as I had learned, imitators of God. Holmes, M. (2007). The Apostolic Fathers. 3rd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, p. 215.

Greek: 1.2. … εδόξασα, εὑρῶν ὑμᾶς, ὡς ἔγνων, μιμητὰς ὄντας θεοῦ.

Are we to be "imitators" of God.

More: Imitator or impersonator of Christ

The serpent told Eve that "you can be as a god".

Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: [kjv]

και ειπεν ο οφις τη γυναικι ου θανατω αποθανεισθε [lxx]

3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. [kjv]

ηδει γαρ ο θεος οτι εν η αν ημερα φαγητε απ αυτου διανοιχθησονται υμων οι οφθαλμοι και εσεσθε ως θεοι γινωσκοντες καλον και πονηρον [lxx]

The model of Jesus and the church is as follows.

Jesus is the man or groom.
The church is the woman or bride.

Discuss: Are there examples of church leadership (at the top) impersonating the man or groom of Christ and telling the woman or bride or church believers (at the bottom) that you can be as a god?

Does this story from the OT (Old Testament) qualify as a remez or hint of something deeper?

More: Overly burdened in the cares and concerns of evil

Genesis 3:4

All

KJV: And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Hebrew: ויאמר הנחש אל האשה לא מות תמתון׃

Greek: και ειπεν ο οφις τη γυναικι ου θανατω αποθανεισθε

Genesis 3:5

All

KJV: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Hebrew: כי ידע אלהים כי ביום אכלכם ממנו ונפקחו עיניכם והייתם כאלהים ידעי טוב ורע׃

Greek: ηδει γαρ ο θεος οτι εν η αν ημερα φαγητε απ αυτου διανοιχθησονται υμων οι οφθαλμοι και εσεσθε ως θεοι γινωσκοντες καλον και πονηρον

Let us review and continue.

English: ... I praised God when I found out that you were, as I had learned, imitators of God. Holmes, M. (2007). The Apostolic Fathers. 3rd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, p. 215.

Greek: 1.2. … εδόξασα, εὑρῶν ὑμᾶς, ὡς ἔγνων, μιμητὰς ὄντας θεοῦ.

Greek: Ὅταν γὰρ τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ ὑοτάσσησθε ὡς Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ, φαίνεσθέ μοι οὐ κατὰ ἄνθρωπον ζῶντες, ἀλλὰ κατὰ Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν τὸν δι’ ἡμᾶς ἀποθανόντα, ἵνα πιστεύσαντες εἰς τὸν θάνατον αὐτοῦ τὸ ἀποθανεῖν ἐκφύγητε.

English: It is essential, therefore, that you continue your current practice and do nothing without the bishop, but be subject also to the council of presbyters as to the apostles of Jesus Christ, ...

Greek: 2. ἀναγκαῖον οὖν ἐστίν, ὥσπερ ποιεῖτε, ἄνευ τοῦ ἐπισκόπου μηδὲν πράσσειν ὑμᾶς, ἀλλ’ ὑποτάσσεσθαι καὶ τῷ πρεσβυτερίῳ ὡς τοῖς ἀποστόλοις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ...

English: 6.2 These people, while pretending to be trustworthy, mix Jesus Christ with themselves - like those who administer a deadly drug with honeyed wine, which the unsuspecting victim accepts without fear and so with final pleasure drinks down death. Holmes, M. (2007). The Apostolic Fathers. 3rd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, p. 219.

Greek: 6.2. οἳ ἑαυτοῖς παρεμπλέκουσιν Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν καταξιοπιστευόμενοι, ὥσπερ θανάσιμον φάρμακον διδόντες μετὰ οἰνομέλιτος, ὅπερ ὁ ἀγνοῶν ἡδέως λαμβάνει ἐν ἡδονῇ κακῇ τὸ ἀποθανεῖν.

This sounds like good advice. Read on.

English: 7.1 Therefore be on your guard against such people. And you will be provided that you are not puffed up with pride and that you cling inseparably to Jesus Christ and to the bishop and to the commandments of the apostles. Holmes, M. (2007). The Apostolic Fathers. 3rd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, p. 219.

Greek: 7.1. Φυλάττεσθε οὖν τοὺς τοιούτους. τοῦτο δὲ ἔσται ὑμῖν φυσιουμένοις καὶ οὖσιν ἀχωρίστοις θεοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καί τοῦ ἐπισκόπου καὶ τῶν διαταγμάτων τῶν ἀποστόλων.

Can we just "cling" to Jesus Christ?
Do we need to "cling" to the "bishop"?
What are the "commandments" or "proclamations" of the "apostles"?

English: The one who is within the sanctuary is clean, but the one who is outside the sanctuary is not clean. That is, whoever does anything without the bishop and council of presbyters and deacons does not have a clean conscience. Holmes, M. (2007). The Apostolic Fathers. 3rd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, p. 219.

Greek: 7.2. ὁ ἐντὸς θυσιαστηρίου ὢν καθαρός ἐστιν· τοῦτ’ ἔστιν, ὁ χωρὶς ἐπισκόπου καὶ πρεσβυτερίου καὶ διακόνων πράσσων τι, οὗτος καθαρός ἐστιν τῇ συνειδήσει.

Are we "pure" (Greek word) or "clean" if we are inside the "sanctuary" at the "altar" (same words in Greek).
Are we not "pure" (Greek word) or "clean" if we are outside the "sanctuary" at the "altar", (same words in Greek),

Can what Ignatius says be used as a "yoke of compulsion"?

What Ignatius says is not what Jesus says.

More: Matthew 23:26 Cleaning the cup and bowl

More: Matthew 5:23-24 Alterated gifts

Matthew 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. [kjv]

ουαι υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι καθαριζετε το εξωθεν του ποτηριου και της παροψιδος εσωθεν δε γεμουσιν εξ αρπαγης και ακρασιας [gnt]

vae … hypocritae … mundatis … foris … calicis … parapsidis … rapina … inmunditia [v]

23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. [kjv]

φαρισαιε τυφλε καθαρισον πρωτον το εντος του ποτηριου και της παροψιδος ινα γενηται και το εκτος αυτου καθαρον [gnt]

… munda … calicis … parapsidis … mundum [v]

There are some play on words used by Jesus but the obvious meaning holds.

More: Matthew 23:26 Cleaning the cup and bowl